O Nosso Reino-A Timeline of Portugal
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The Battle Ends
It was coming towards midnight now. A sustained cannon assault by land and sea had decimated Abd Al-Malik's cavalry. He had lost nearly 9,000 men in around 18 hours.
But Sebastian had lost a good 5,000 men himself. As the 10th August drew in, he was lucky to be alive himself. He had been nearly cut in half by a Moroccan swordsman but had been saved by one of Stukley's English soldiers of fortune.
By dawn, after nearly 24 hours of constant pressure, it was over. The Portuguese lines had not broken. Abd Al-Malik himself had died of a massive haert attack around 9 p.m. [1] and his brother Ahmad al-Mansur was now in charge. But the Sultan's death was crushing for his men.
The final blow had come when Mohammed II Saadi's remaining men had appeared on Malikist flank. Totally outnumbered, their appearance in the dark still terrified Al-Malik's men and some fled.
In the morning, inspecting the blood and carnage, Sebastian was asked by his confessor Luis Goncalves if he had a name for the battle.
"Whose saint's day is it?" the King allegedly asked.
He took Goncalves's response, Sao Lourenco, for the name of the battle, devout as ever. A sacred name for the last resting place of thousands of men he had led into this folly.
[1] Abd Al-Malik did actually die during the battle in similar circumstances IOTL.
It was coming towards midnight now. A sustained cannon assault by land and sea had decimated Abd Al-Malik's cavalry. He had lost nearly 9,000 men in around 18 hours.
But Sebastian had lost a good 5,000 men himself. As the 10th August drew in, he was lucky to be alive himself. He had been nearly cut in half by a Moroccan swordsman but had been saved by one of Stukley's English soldiers of fortune.
By dawn, after nearly 24 hours of constant pressure, it was over. The Portuguese lines had not broken. Abd Al-Malik himself had died of a massive haert attack around 9 p.m. [1] and his brother Ahmad al-Mansur was now in charge. But the Sultan's death was crushing for his men.
The final blow had come when Mohammed II Saadi's remaining men had appeared on Malikist flank. Totally outnumbered, their appearance in the dark still terrified Al-Malik's men and some fled.
In the morning, inspecting the blood and carnage, Sebastian was asked by his confessor Luis Goncalves if he had a name for the battle.
"Whose saint's day is it?" the King allegedly asked.
He took Goncalves's response, Sao Lourenco, for the name of the battle, devout as ever. A sacred name for the last resting place of thousands of men he had led into this folly.
[1] Abd Al-Malik did actually die during the battle in similar circumstances IOTL.
Taking Stock
Sebastian surveyed what remained of his troops. He had lost around 12,000 of the 23,000 with him. Thomas Stukley was a noticeable survivor, although his fellow Englishmen had been decimated. Mohammed II Saadi was alive but severely wounded and being treated for stab wounds.
The enemy toll was even greater. Abd Al-Malik was dead, and had been carried away in his sedan chair in the dark. Of the 60,000 men under his command, an estimated 38,000 had been killed, above all the cavalry who had taken the brunt of the naval and land bombardments.
The Battle of Sao Lourenco was not a victory for any one. Sebastian's mercenaries were disillusioned and would go no further. His army had taken a tremendous beating. And more importantly, even he had to admit that advancing any further would be either a disaster or folly.
"We stay here", he told Goncalves. "Here we shall found a city".
And thus began the history of the City of Porto Sao Lourenco.
Sebastian surveyed what remained of his troops. He had lost around 12,000 of the 23,000 with him. Thomas Stukley was a noticeable survivor, although his fellow Englishmen had been decimated. Mohammed II Saadi was alive but severely wounded and being treated for stab wounds.
The enemy toll was even greater. Abd Al-Malik was dead, and had been carried away in his sedan chair in the dark. Of the 60,000 men under his command, an estimated 38,000 had been killed, above all the cavalry who had taken the brunt of the naval and land bombardments.
The Battle of Sao Lourenco was not a victory for any one. Sebastian's mercenaries were disillusioned and would go no further. His army had taken a tremendous beating. And more importantly, even he had to admit that advancing any further would be either a disaster or folly.
"We stay here", he told Goncalves. "Here we shall found a city".
And thus began the history of the City of Porto Sao Lourenco.
Leaving for Lisbon
Thwarted in his desires for a great victory in the Maghreb, Sebastian's impetuous thoughts turned elsewhere. In the days following the Battle of Sao Lourenco, he began sketching almost far-fetched plans for a Great Portuguese Archipelago, a network of Portuguese entrepots in the Atlantic from the Azores, to Lisbon, to Tangiers, to Sao Lourenco, to Cape Verde, to Brazil and beyond. He gave notice that, on his return to Lisbon, he would set in train his plan for a great naval base at Canical on Madeira.
On the 17th August 1578, Sebastian and his advisors left for Lisbon, leaving Santa Maria de Tovar in command. More troops were on the way from Portugal to help secure the port and to help construct this new, rough-and-ready outpost. Ahmad al-Mansur was no threat at the moment anyway- and the death of his uncle had given Mohammed II Saadi a new, if limited, lease of political life.
"Don Sebastiao", said Goncalves that evening on board, "Is it not time again that we talk of a bride?"
Thwarted in his desires for a great victory in the Maghreb, Sebastian's impetuous thoughts turned elsewhere. In the days following the Battle of Sao Lourenco, he began sketching almost far-fetched plans for a Great Portuguese Archipelago, a network of Portuguese entrepots in the Atlantic from the Azores, to Lisbon, to Tangiers, to Sao Lourenco, to Cape Verde, to Brazil and beyond. He gave notice that, on his return to Lisbon, he would set in train his plan for a great naval base at Canical on Madeira.
On the 17th August 1578, Sebastian and his advisors left for Lisbon, leaving Santa Maria de Tovar in command. More troops were on the way from Portugal to help secure the port and to help construct this new, rough-and-ready outpost. Ahmad al-Mansur was no threat at the moment anyway- and the death of his uncle had given Mohammed II Saadi a new, if limited, lease of political life.
"Don Sebastiao", said Goncalves that evening on board, "Is it not time again that we talk of a bride?"
Rockingham
Banned
Damn troll, ruining the thread.
Out of a sick interest, what was the image he posted?
Steve, very good. Portugal basically gets shoved aside in most TL's......it had a pretty bad run in OTL after this point and still maintained a singnificant empire through the 19th century, and after all the others were abandoned. Spain won't sit back and ignore such a tempting conquest however, not during its golden era..... it will push for more influence at least.
If Sebastian gets to ambitious, the Spanish would likely invade, although the results of such a conflict would be another altogether....
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Nuptial Narrative
Sebastian was, to put it politely, no great fan of women. But he was, however, a great fan of being a great man. And to do this, he needed to keep the House of Aviz-Beja alive.
There was a shortage of good candidates. Goncalves was away of what a wife of Sebastian would have to be: religious, willing to put up with being given almost no attention from her husband, and a sex life aimed only at producing heirs.
Goncalves had produced a shortlist. And short it indeed was, as he had slowly been forced to remove women from it. In the end, on the ship back to Lisbon, he suggested to Sebastian that he propose to a German princess: Maximiliana Maria of Bavaria, daughter of Albrecht V of Bavaria. She was a strong Catholic, from a family of fanatical Catholics. At two years Sebastian's senior and still unmarried, she could be the perfect choice. And, as a Wittelsbach rather than a Habsburg, she would bring some fresh blood into the family line.
Sebastian pondered the idea for days. Finally, on the 21st August, before reaching Lisbon, he agreed to Goncalves' suggestion.
Sebastian was, to put it politely, no great fan of women. But he was, however, a great fan of being a great man. And to do this, he needed to keep the House of Aviz-Beja alive.
There was a shortage of good candidates. Goncalves was away of what a wife of Sebastian would have to be: religious, willing to put up with being given almost no attention from her husband, and a sex life aimed only at producing heirs.
Goncalves had produced a shortlist. And short it indeed was, as he had slowly been forced to remove women from it. In the end, on the ship back to Lisbon, he suggested to Sebastian that he propose to a German princess: Maximiliana Maria of Bavaria, daughter of Albrecht V of Bavaria. She was a strong Catholic, from a family of fanatical Catholics. At two years Sebastian's senior and still unmarried, she could be the perfect choice. And, as a Wittelsbach rather than a Habsburg, she would bring some fresh blood into the family line.
Sebastian pondered the idea for days. Finally, on the 21st August, before reaching Lisbon, he agreed to Goncalves' suggestion.
On his arrival back in Lisbon on the 23rd August, Sebastian was bursting with new ideas. He was acclaimed as a hero by the people and by the Church for "crusading", despite the relative failure of his endeavour. But now he was ready to make plans for the future.
The first proclamation made on his return was the following day. In an addition to the Codigo Sebastianico law code, he introduced the punishment of transportation to Sao Lourenco for all men convicted of theft, robbery and assault, and for women all of the former as well as being found to be a common prostitute.
More importantly, he began work on his offer of marriage to Maximiliana Maria.
The first proclamation made on his return was the following day. In an addition to the Codigo Sebastianico law code, he introduced the punishment of transportation to Sao Lourenco for all men convicted of theft, robbery and assault, and for women all of the former as well as being found to be a common prostitute.
More importantly, he began work on his offer of marriage to Maximiliana Maria.
All Points North
Meanwhile, further north, things were going from bad to worse for the Spanish armies fighting the Dutch Revolt. After taking a hit at Rijmenam on 2nd August 1578, Don Juan's men were subject to a fresh disaster. On the 21st August, Spanish soldiers guarding a supply convoy near Jodoigne were attacked and wiped out by rebels. Not only did this result in a severe loss of face, but it severely slowed Spanish movements in the area for weeks to come. It was no great victory for the Gueux, but it bought more time.
Don Juan was frustrated and exhausted. His strategies were going nowhere.
Meanwhile, further north, things were going from bad to worse for the Spanish armies fighting the Dutch Revolt. After taking a hit at Rijmenam on 2nd August 1578, Don Juan's men were subject to a fresh disaster. On the 21st August, Spanish soldiers guarding a supply convoy near Jodoigne were attacked and wiped out by rebels. Not only did this result in a severe loss of face, but it severely slowed Spanish movements in the area for weeks to come. It was no great victory for the Gueux, but it bought more time.
Don Juan was frustrated and exhausted. His strategies were going nowhere.
When Albrecht V of Bavaria received Sebastian's letter in late September 1578, he was surprised. A King of Portugal asking for his daughter's hand? He had no doubts that this would be a useful and potentially fruitful alliance. Plus, to boot, Sebastian was famed for his Catholic piety. After a brief effort to persuade Maximiliana Maria of the benefits (more accurately, he ordered her to marry Sebastian), he sent a reply accepting the proposal. His daughter was fairly happy with the idea- she was 26 and still unmarried, and two years Sebastian's senior.
In the meantime, Philip of Spain had been informed, and gave his blessing.
Still waiting for the response from his bride-to-be, Sebastian threw himself into more schemes. He was determined to carve out a place in the sun for an independent, glorious, powerful, Catholic Portugal.
In the meantime, Philip of Spain had been informed, and gave his blessing.
Still waiting for the response from his bride-to-be, Sebastian threw himself into more schemes. He was determined to carve out a place in the sun for an independent, glorious, powerful, Catholic Portugal.
A German bride for Sebastian? Nice!
Other thing that could be used in favor of the House of Bavaria is that Albert V's grandmother, Kunigunde of Austria, was a daughter of Eleanor of Portugal, Holy Roman Empress. So, they could claim this ancestry to reinforce the importance of the union.
Other thing that could be used in favor of the House of Bavaria is that Albert V's grandmother, Kunigunde of Austria, was a daughter of Eleanor of Portugal, Holy Roman Empress. So, they could claim this ancestry to reinforce the importance of the union.
Go West
Maximiliana Maria was quickly dispatched to Lisbon with great haste, travelling from Munich to Trieste and thence to Lisbon, where she arrived on the 9th October 1578 with her ladies in waiting and her dowry (the amount of which has never fully been documented). Sebastian met her at the harbour, deeming this the most appropriate action.
On the 15th October, they were married at Lisbon Cathedral. For the first time in memory, there was some fresh blood injected into the House of Aviz-Beja.
More unusual was the cultural ramification of the marriage. There was a sudden craze amongst the upper classes for learning German.
Maximiliana Maria was quickly dispatched to Lisbon with great haste, travelling from Munich to Trieste and thence to Lisbon, where she arrived on the 9th October 1578 with her ladies in waiting and her dowry (the amount of which has never fully been documented). Sebastian met her at the harbour, deeming this the most appropriate action.
On the 15th October, they were married at Lisbon Cathedral. For the first time in memory, there was some fresh blood injected into the House of Aviz-Beja.
More unusual was the cultural ramification of the marriage. There was a sudden craze amongst the upper classes for learning German.
An interesting development occured in English dynastic affairs at a similar time, when the Elizabeth Cavendish, Countess of Lennox, made an attempt to placate Elizabeth I, with whom she had had a severe disagreement over her hasty marriage to Charles Stuart, Earl of Lennox.
The Countess told the Queen explicitly that she was raising her daughter, Arabella, as a Protestant. Until now, it had been somewhat unclear as to what religion the child was. And it mattered: Arabella could be heiress to the throne if Elizabeth were not to marry.
The Countess told the Queen explicitly that she was raising her daughter, Arabella, as a Protestant. Until now, it had been somewhat unclear as to what religion the child was. And it mattered: Arabella could be heiress to the throne if Elizabeth were not to marry.
The newly-married Sebastian wasted little time keeping his new bride happy. He was not keen on her physical company, which was not too much of a problem for her. But they did get on well nonetheless, mainly due to their shared piety.
His focus now was working out how to re-establish his attempts to gain more control and prestige in the Mediterranean. The immediate reaction was a decree granting his mercenaries land around Sao Lourenco in return for military service as and when required.
The second was more complex and would take time. He needed an ally to help him crush the Moroccans in future and to gain an element of power in the Mediterranean in general. To this end, he dispatched Dom Antonio as his emissary to the Venetians in October 1578.
His focus now was working out how to re-establish his attempts to gain more control and prestige in the Mediterranean. The immediate reaction was a decree granting his mercenaries land around Sao Lourenco in return for military service as and when required.
The second was more complex and would take time. He needed an ally to help him crush the Moroccans in future and to gain an element of power in the Mediterranean in general. To this end, he dispatched Dom Antonio as his emissary to the Venetians in October 1578.
Good News
Early November saw rejoicing in the streets when it was announced that Queen Maximiliana Maria was pregnant. It came as a relief to Sebastian and even more so to Luis Goncalves.
It was, however, no relief to Philip of Spain. He had secretly hoping for Sebastian's death in action in Morocco, and now he had to face the possibility that the Portuguese throne would never be his. More worryingly, Don Juan of Austria was having a terrible time of it in the Low Countries. It was beginning to put on a strain on Spanish finances. On the bright side, the New World was still providing enough gold to keep Spain afloat.
Early November saw rejoicing in the streets when it was announced that Queen Maximiliana Maria was pregnant. It came as a relief to Sebastian and even more so to Luis Goncalves.
It was, however, no relief to Philip of Spain. He had secretly hoping for Sebastian's death in action in Morocco, and now he had to face the possibility that the Portuguese throne would never be his. More worryingly, Don Juan of Austria was having a terrible time of it in the Low Countries. It was beginning to put on a strain on Spanish finances. On the bright side, the New World was still providing enough gold to keep Spain afloat.
A Fresh Start for Spain?
On the 9th November 1578, Don Juan of Austria died, broken by ill-health and defeats. The Duke of Parma, Alessandro Farnese, now took over. Philip of Spain was determined to end this revolt before it kept draining Spain's finances any more, and was willing to throw everything at the Spanish Netherlands to take them back in their entirity.
But there was a dark cloud on the horizon for Catholic monarchs around Europe. On the 14th November, on the Ile de la Cite, Henry, Duke of Guise (the arch-reactionary leader of the Catholic League) was stabbed fatally by a young Huguenot after leaving Mass. The sight of Guise bleeding to death in the street created a furious storm. And it was to be the spark that would light up Western Europe in a conflagration.
On the 9th November 1578, Don Juan of Austria died, broken by ill-health and defeats. The Duke of Parma, Alessandro Farnese, now took over. Philip of Spain was determined to end this revolt before it kept draining Spain's finances any more, and was willing to throw everything at the Spanish Netherlands to take them back in their entirity.
But there was a dark cloud on the horizon for Catholic monarchs around Europe. On the 14th November, on the Ile de la Cite, Henry, Duke of Guise (the arch-reactionary leader of the Catholic League) was stabbed fatally by a young Huguenot after leaving Mass. The sight of Guise bleeding to death in the street created a furious storm. And it was to be the spark that would light up Western Europe in a conflagration.